Like any business owner or operator, farmers take careful consideration when making any changes to their operations. A change that may seem relatively simple to an outsider could require new equipment, more labor or a different response to heavy rain or drought. In the end the change may turn out to be a great success,
Continue reading What’s Risk Got to Do with It?: Encouraging On-Farm Conservation
The Mid-Atlantic region is blessed with agricultural diversity, producing an array of food, fuel and fiber from Delaware to Virginia. The past year has been filled with both challenges and opportunities for farms and farmers. Inclement weather throughout much of growing season tested the patience of farmers across the region. State budget concerns brought discussions
Continue reading Mid-Atlantic: A Year of Progress
Water quality in the Chesapeake Bay has been a major concern in the region for decades. Farmers in the bay region, which includes Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Maryland, New York, Virginia and West Virginia, manage nearly a third of the land in the watershed. As a result, farmers must play an important role in maintaining and
Continue reading Working Together to Clean Up the Chesapeake Bay
Making the farm-to-table connection through conservation
Farm-to-table meets farm bill conservation in Washington state during our Dine Out for FarmsTM week. The Mark in Olympia, Washington, is featuring steak from Colvin Ranch of Thurston County, one of the oldest, family-owned ranches in the Evergreen State. Fred Colvin was the first landowner in the state of Washington
Continue reading Farm and Food News 10/14/11
Devoted Pennsylvania farmer honored
American Farmland Trust honored Bob Ambrose with the Pennsylvania Farmland Preservation Local Hero Award this week. Bob and his wife run a 130-acre farm and are dedicated to protecting farmland from development.
Growing vegetables and palates
FoodCrops continues to thrive in its first year of service. One corps member in Maine is teaching
Continue reading Farm and Food News 10/7/11
Many small voices make loud impact
Through combined community efforts, the voices of farmland protection are ringing loud and clear on the West Coast. With assistance from the Strauss Family Creamery, Organic Valley and other groups, one family has recently acquired an easement strategy to protect their farmland in California.
Developers tuning in to agricultural offerings
Suburban
Continue reading Farm and Food News 9/16/11
Northeast continues to feel impact of Irene
With Hurricane Irene creating serious damage in Vermont, there has been a strong push to help local farmers in their recovery phase. In many places, legislators continue to work to find ways to assist victims of the flooding. The organization of Dine Out Irene, has also been created with
Continue reading Farm and Food News 9/9/11
More Farmland Protected in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Agricultural Preservation Board has protected another 1,425 acres of farmland on 16 farms in 7 counties. The newly preserved land will increase the total agricultural land preservation in Pennsylvania to 453,419 acres on 4,189 farms!
Investing in Farmland
Instead of investing in gold or companies, a growing number of investors are
Continue reading Farm and Food News 8/26/2011
Recently, we took the opportunity to recognize the valuable role that agriculture plays in protecting clean water in Pennsylvania. At an event on May 11, we celebrated our partnership with the Pennsylvania Departments of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, which has reduced pollution in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
(L to R) Jim Baird, AFT, DEP Sec.
Continue reading Celebrating Farm Conservation and Stewardship in Pennsylvania
Sen. Stabenow Discusses next Farm Bill at Agricultural Outlook Forum
In an address at this week’s Agricultural Outlook Forum, Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, urged a focus on the guiding principles of the farm bill and not on specific programs as preparations are made for the 2012 Farm Bill. Remarked Sen.
Continue reading Farm and Food News 2/25/11